given you lot are nice people, it does seem a bit off (to say the least) that she's so on edge at you

Thing is, she's been like that since before she even saw us - the first communication we ever had from her was just after moving in, when I left a note saying 'we've left this bookcase in the hall for a few hours while we decide whether or not to chuck it, sorry for the inconvenience' and she replied 'don't slam the door, and don't scratch the walls'.

It did have a little smiley face on it, which looked rather intimidated by the rest of the note.

But yes, I do suspect she's very lonely.